These sales and several other likely sales of showroom buildings in coming months could accelerate a shift to office uses.

And as many Americans find they have little choice but to replace their old standbys, sales of cars and light trucks have steadily accelerated.

Thanks largely to generous buyer incentives, sales accelerated 17 percent in the first three months, but profits remained flat.

Insurance company planners say they anticipate tens of millions of dollars in added revenues from premiums this year as sales of the new policies accelerate.

"How is it that their sales of high-end product dry up when they're in product transition while Sun's accelerate?"

"I have never seen sales of a book accelerate so fast," she said.

Since the iPad launched, sales of the Kindle have accelerated.

According to market analysts, sales of men's fragrances have accelerated more in mass market outlets than in department stores and specialty retailers.

"It's just a question of how much and how quickly sales will accelerate."

The sales accelerated the market slide in Askin's holdings, which were generally thinly traded securities.